By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
An amended bill that would cap the amount of money which can be awarded in civil lawsuits in Arkansas has a good chance of being passed, according to the bill's chief House sponsor.
State Rep. Danny Ferguson said this morning that he believes the bill is in good shape.
"It's going to be fine. I don't look for any big problem. Of course, you never know, but basically at this point there are two choices, to concur or not to concur" with the Senate amendments.
After passing in the House over a month ago, the bill was debated for some time in the Senate Judiciary Committee and amended. The amended version then passed the Senate.
Ferguson said the bill would be brought back to the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.
"And it will probably be on the House floor Wednesday or Thursday."
The amendments made to the bill allow for higher monetary awards than the bill in its original form.
"The original version, that went to the Senate, allowed three times the compensatory amount or a half-million dollars, whichever was lowest," Ferguson said. "The amended version changes it to $250,000 or three times the compensatory amount, whichever is higher, with a cap of $1 million."
Ferguson said the change was made because of complaints that the original bill would let off some defendants too easily -- such as those who commit particularly egregious offenses.
He said there were some other changes also, such as the timing of medical malpractice affidavits.
Ferguson said he believes the amended bill will pass the House. The original bill passed the House by a healthy 71-28 vote.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
A kickoff for a program to get people walking will take place Saturday, March 29, at 10 a.m. at the Forrest City Sports Complex.
Called "Walk Across Arkansas," the eight week program aims at getting people into a healthier lifestyle.
"Seventy-one percent of St. Francis Countians are either overweight or obese," said Extension Agent Stephanie Bryant. "Thirty-three percent had no physical activity in the last 30 days. Twelve percent said they had diabetes."
The figures came from a local survey, and Bryant said they were disturbing. She said the numbers demonstrate the need to get people off their couches and onto their feet.
Bryant said participants are not expected to walk across the state, literally. The idea is to get people to walk the equivalent of a trip across Arkansas (about 300 miles), during an eight-week period.
Teams of up to eight people may compete. Bryant said there is an effort to get businesses to act as sponsors, and donate some prizes for the teams who walk the most.
The progress of the teams will be recorded on a map in the Extension office and other places around the community.
At the March 29 kickoff, there will be packets for each team. Each team member will get a log to record mileage. Members will report to the team captain weekly during the Walk Across Arkansas time period (until May 24). The captain will report the mileage to the Extension office.
Weight loss is not a primary focus, but Bryant said once people start moving, weight loss may well happen anyway. And maybe some folks will even decide to get on a healthier diet, as well.
Walk Across Arkansas is a statewide project.
"It's a fun and flexible way to exercise," said Bryant. "And by the end of the St. Francis County Walk Across Arkansas project, you'll have a healthy habit that will last a lifetime."
The deadline for sign-up will be the day of the kickoff. Before that, anyone wanting more information may call the St. Francis County Cooperative Extension Service at 870-261-1732.
Students in the Forrest City School District will receive an extended Spring Break when doors close on Wednesday.
The district's annual Spring Break will actually be Monday, March 24, through Friday, March 28, but due to parent/teacher conferences on Thursday, and teacher in-service on Friday, classes for FCSD students will conclude on Wednesday.
According to district officials, teacher in-service will begin on Thursday morning with parent/teacher conferences being held from noon to 6 p.m. Friday is scheduled to be a full day of in-service for district educators.
A man was arrested Saturday for allegedly committing a robbery at knifepoint.
According to the report by the Forrest City Police Department, Gary Rogers, of Manor House Apartments No. 109, said he had been robbed by a person he had met at the Coconut Lounge.
According to Rogers' story, he met the man, whom he said he did not know, and a woman he knew at the lounge, and they asked if they could spend the night with him.
At the apartment, the man, Anthony Hampton, 39, with addresses in Little Rock and Forrest City, allegedly robbed him at knifepoint.
Hampton was apprehended on Division Street, and taken to the police station. He is is charged with aggravated robbery.
The Palestine-Wheatley School Board will meet at 6:30 tonight at the high school cafetorium in Palestine.